In memory of our very good friend, Rev. Pat Evans

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

January 15--- We kick off our study of faith with a common theme, following directions. Let me ask you, how good are you at following directions? One of the most interesting things about human nature is that we are always looking for a shortcut. We want to bypass the journey and get to the destination as fast as we can. How are we traveling through life? Are we willing to take direction or are we fixed on getting somewhere regardless of who we run over? Greetings on the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you know the back way into Talladega, you might be a redneck. Forgive my use of Mr. Foxworthy’s line but it rings true for our thoughts today. Have you ever noticed we tend to look for the back way or the easy way? When we are going to some place new we seek out others that have been there to determine the shortest route, the quickest way. Sometimes in life shortcuts are not really all that short and they lead us to places we never should go in the first place.

What is the best way to become a championship racer? I suggest it is to learn the ropes and gain experience. I have an issue with those that think they can bypass all this with a little green. Not only do we fail to gain valuable experience the quality of the racing suffers. I don’t think we understand what we miss when we try to bypass the learning experience. I had a professor in Seminary that put it this way; we should have graduation first. Then those who are here for the piece of paper can leave and the ones that want to learn can stay and learn.

I think there is a difference between racers that want to learn and understand and those who have their sights on getting to the next level as fast as they can. They view the current surroundings as just a pit stop on that road not a place to learn and develop. Too many times we rush our kids into life and fail to let them develop the proper discipline and experience. I think we fail them and the life that God has for us suffers.

On some level we all think we understand more than we really do. We think we can handle more than we can. When we realize that there are no shortcuts we then start to look at life differently. We start to focus on the journey and not the destination. We need to realize that we don’t know everything before we can be teachable. When we become teachable then we really start to live.

The first Characteristic of Faith is obedience. We must be willing to follow directions. How good are we at letting someone else lead us? I remember a friend of mine who wasn’t willing to admit he needed direction. He would say, “As long as I have a full tank of gas I am not lost.” Obedience is a funny thing; before we are willing to follow directions we first must have to admit we don’t know the way. We will not let someone lead us if we think we can get there without help. There are no shortcuts. We all need help getting there, wherever that is, some of us just realize it before others.

Having faith means we admit we don’t know the way. That is one of the most difficult things for us to do, especially men. Men don’t ask for direction or turn around. Well guess what, to follow God and have faith we need to stop, ask directions and turn around. Let’s take a look at what James has to say on the subject. 

James 1:19-25, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.                                                   

   Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 

James makes it clear that listening to, knowing God’s word is not enough we have to do what it says. Let me ask you, do you know right from wrong? Of course you do. We know what is right and what is wrong, we just choose to do what we want instead of what is right.

James uses an interesting illustration, the man in the mirror. What do you look like? What do other people see? Do others see the right image or do they see something different? James is telling us that we can’t claim to be something we are not. When we claim to have faith but we do not follow God’s direction we have a problem. We do not receive the blessing of God. James says, “if we continue to follow God’s direction, the law, we will be blessed.”

Let me sum it up, if we put our trust and faith in God we will follow His directions. Our life will reflect His image. We will continue to live this way and experience God’s blessings. Faith is obedient. I ask you this week to work on your ability to take direction. Turn to God and ask him to guide you in the way that is right and follow Him. His promise is one of abundant life. Choose to live that life through obedience to Him, God Bless, Rev. Don 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

Motorsports and Indoor racing in Atlantic City proved to be a great marriage. We had a great time. The show gave us an opportunity to catch up with old friends. We also had a chance to meet with many of our supporters. We are encouraged by the interest we generated and to see God working on many fronts.

We also served as NASCAR central again this year. At one point we had 18+ championships represented in our booth. We had several Busch and Modified drivers there signing autographs. Mike Olsen, Mike Stefanik, Jamie Tomaino, Tony Hirschman, Matt Hirschman all spent time in the booth signing. It was a great time as many other drivers stop by to talk and do a little bench racing. Some of our visitors included Todd Szegedy, Eric Beers, Ryan Seaman, Don Wagner, Joe Mongeau, John Blewett III, Dion Ciccorelli and others. Mike Stefanik did have a DNF on Saturday. There was a steady stream of autograph seekers and Mike was the first one to run out of hero cards. The response was tremendous and we want to thank all those who participated.

Special thanks go out to JT Motorsports, Flamingo Motorsports and Fadden Racing for bringing their cars and drivers in support of this ministry. We couldn’t have done it without them.

I also had the opportunity to meet Bubba the 12 year old Quartermidget driver that had a blood vessel in his brain burst earlier this year. He is truly a miracle. He is back on his feet and this week the doctors released him to return to all sports. He is a great kid and we had some special gifts for him courtesy of Mike Olsen and Ken Spring.

Indoor racing was a new experience for me. I had a center ice seat as the cars raced around what was once used as an ice rink. Before the feature events Al Robinson held court in the media room as we shared stories about the past. I told Al a sign that you have been around a long time is when most of your stories are about tracks that no longer exist. I always enjoy the passion Al has for racing and the twinkle in his eye when he relives the memories of races past.

The A main was as exciting as any I have seen. Joey Payne and Lou Ciccone put on a duel for the ages with Payne winning by inches at the line. There were several late race side by side restarts that added to the excitement. Al Robinson noted that they must have been watching the Busch East Series. After the finish the two drivers joined hands and raised them as they took a victory lap, truly two great competitors. John Blewett III came in third in his first appearance at the annual winter event.

I also had a chance to catch up with Jimmy and Bubba Broderick. Bubba was running for the first time in the event and made the A main. He shared with me that he added a tattoo to his back. It consisted of one word “FAITH”. He put it there in honor of Rev. Pat. Bubba and Pat would talk every week. Pat was a very special friend to Bubba and helped shape his young life. Bubba, keep the faith.

All in all it was a good weekend, Jackie Arute stopped by to tell us to watch for an announcement concerning the Modified Tour. That and other not yet official information changed hands. There was a tremendous amount of positive energy surrounding the future of both divisions and we are excited about the future. I will work on confirming them in the next few weeks and share them with you.

For now, we’ll take a little time off before Speedweeks. Have a great week, Rev. Don.

Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and

Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.

Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing News", the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper" See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don

CHECKERED CHEERS

***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***

            January 16

STEVE & TAMMY WOOD- This New Jerseyite, now in Mooresville, NC and wife share their 8th anniversary. Woody is with R&D at Evernham Motorsports.

            January 18

WILL & JENNIFER POIGNONNEC- This Oakland Valley Race Park (Cuddebackville, NY) Kart racer and wife share 4th anniversary.

            January 20

JOHN & SANDY LEGER- This CT based LM driver and wife have their 16th anniversary.

            January 21

ED & LINDA SANSEVERINO- This AARN/RWJM photographer and wife from Hillsborough, NC have their 32nd anniversary.

            January 22

IRA & KIMBERLY HARTOUGH, JR.- Long time fans of Bob Park, NASCAR Modified driver, have their 7th.

            January 23

KERRY & RENE' EARNHARDT- This Kannapolis, NC ARCA/BGN driving son of the late Dale share their 9th anniversary.

BOB & LOIS MARTI- This Watertown, CT Modified Team crewman and wife have their 39th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

            January 17

ERIC BODINE- Chemung, NY NASCAR BES driver.

LAKE SPEED- Kannapolis, NC retired NNC driver and unashamed Christian.

            January 18

VAL LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA Publisher of "Speedway Scene."

BEN DODGE- Vernon, CT Whelen Modified Tour Start/Finish Productions Team owner and Thompson Speedway Special Advisor.

JANICE BLEWETT- The wife of Howell, NJ Wmt driver John III.

GINA FRANCIS- Wife of former Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT crewman Tom, both now residing happily in Denver,NC.

NICOLE ACKERLY- Daughter of Orange County driver Ray and wife Paula is 13.

ROBERT GEIBEL- A very special friend of Laura Dennis from Brick, NJ and a Jamie Tomaino WMT fan and Steve Park fan.

            January 19

BOB McCREADIE- Watertown, NY winningest ever NY dirt Modified drivers.

GARRETT EVANS- Ardenvoir, WA NASCAR West driver and NASCAR Truck team owner.

JOE HEATH- Northridge, CA NASCAR West driver.

TOM HESLIN- Plainville, CT spotter for the Ted Christopher driven Mod/NASCAR BES teams.

JONATHAN WAWRZONEK- Son of Fonda Speedway fans, Ron and Gloria Hanna.

            January 20

KENNY BRIGHTBILL- Sinking Springs, PA legendary and active dirt Mod driver.

DONALD SMITH- NC Modified driver.

BARRY BABB- Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver.

RICHIE GALLUP- Springfield, MA Modified driver.

TONY MARCIEL- Agawam, MA retired Modified Team owner, now in PA.

JERRY CATANIA- A son of CT Mod owner, Joe.

MIKE ADASKAVEG- "Boston Herald" photographer.

GORDY KILLIAN- Reading, PA Sprint writer/photographer.

ROSE TEETER- Wife and NNC fan with husband Paul of Ithaca, NY.

            January 21

ERNIE SAXTON- Fellow AARN columnist and Motorsports Marketing President of Langhorne, PA and president of Eastern Motorsports Press Association.

GARY "BUGS" HAIRFIELD- Chesterfield, VA LMSC driver.

BUD KUEHNE- Clinton, CT  Waterford LM driver.

HARRY SOLT- NH based NASCAR BES crewman.

BILLY SOLT- Lehigh Valley, PA NASCAR WMT crewman and Harry's twin.

BOB RUDNE- Brother of Norwich, CT race car letterer Alan Coulle.

LINDA BROWN- Riverhead Raceway fan.

            January 22

DAVE STACY- Enon, OH Dash Series driver.

JACK CARUSO- Former New Jersey dirt Sportsman driver and crewman, also proud dad of Micro sprint driver Angela Caruso.

            January 23

HERB DRUGG- Troy,NH NASCAR BES driver.

BRAD HIETALA- Ellington, CT Modified driver.

*** IN THE SHOP ***

TIM ARRE- Wall Township Modified driver has been dealing with some medical issues that have him pretty down. We need to lift him up in prayer and lift him up in spirit. Please reach out to Tim and encourage him, he will really appreciate it. Tim lives in Toms River, New Jersey.

KIP STOCKWELL- Elaine gave us a call last Friday to let us know that Kip injured his arm last week. I am not sure of all the medical term but as I understand it, he separated the internal parts of his arm. He needed surgery to reconnect everything. With that operation a success, he is now faced with twelve to sixteen weeks of rehab. It was his right arm that was injured so he will have learn to do many things with his left. Take a moment and think about the things you would have to relearn if your right hand was tied behind your back. Keep Kip, Amanda, the boys and the entire Stockwell clan in your thoughts and prayers. Drop him a note of encouragement and if you’re in the area stop by and lend a hand. Stockwell’s, 2667 Bent Hill Rd, Randolph, VT 05060.

BOB DILNER- Bob was unable to keep his scheduled appearance at Motorsports because of illness. I talked with Matt he said it was nothing serious but traveling wasn’t a good option. Bob’s schedule starts to heat up with Daytona this week. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT  06084

         ARCHIVES--- For the archive of all of Racing With Jesus Ministries'  previous columns, .

          ON-LINE STORE--- For the Racing With Jesus Ministries On-Line Store, .

Long Island Motorsports News encourages you to patronize our fine sponsors---

Disclaimer:  Views expressed by columnists and all others on this website are strictly their own, and may not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the management of Long Island Motorsports News.